Developer for a photosensitive web



Sept. 17, 1968 5 CRQUSER ET AL 3,401,618

DEVELOPER FOR A PHOTOSENSITIVE WEB Filed July 6, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS. DARWIN S, CROUSER g ROLAND F. HECKER ATTORNEY.

Sept. 17, 1968 D. s. CROUSER ET AL 3,401,618

DEVELOPER FOR A PHOTOSENSITIVE WEB 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 6, 1966 m wl INVENTORS. DARWIN $.CROUSER ROLAND F. HECKER ATTORNEY.

Sept. 17, 1968 5 CROUSER ET AL 3,401,618

DEVELOPER FOR A PHOTQSENSITIVE WEB 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 6, 1966 INVENTORS. DARWIN S. CROUSER ROLAND F. HECKER BY 7 ATTORNEY.

United States Patent 3 401,618 DEVELOPER FOR A PHOTOSENSITIVE WEB Darwin S. Crouser, Mentor, Ohio, and Roland F. Hecker,

Berkeley Heights, N.J., assignors to Varityper Corporation, Newark, N.J., a corporation of Delaware Filed July 6, 1966, Ser. No. 563,134 Claims. (CI. 95-94) Background of the invention Some types of cameras employ a 35 mm. web of film with longitudinal sprocket receiving openings for registration with drive sprockets of the camera. Thus, the film is driven through the exposure chamber in carefully synchronized steps. In like manner, the graphic arts employ a device wherein various letters and configurations are contained on a master negative, and that negative is shiftable to bring a particular letter or symbol into an exposure position. Light is then caused to pass through the selected area of the master to make an impression upon a web of sensitized paper or film which is threaded through the device. In this respect, the device is similar to a contact printer widely known and used in photography.

Probably the most commonly known device of this nature is the Headliner Typemaster compositon devices. This is the trademark of Varityper Corporation. See US. Patent 2,742,830.

However, regardless of how a web of film or exposed photographic paper may be imaged, wet processing in an oflice environment becomes an exacting problem. The processing must be simplified in order that a skilled technician is unnecessary. It must be safe to use in an oliice environment, and ready for operation without extensive preparation or a dark room. The Headliner devices contained a processing tank and automatic equipment to drive the exposed web through the tank after it had been properly exposed. However, such fully integrated device is more elaborate than needed for some smaller businesses and, therefore, it has been found practical to separate the exposure device from the processing equipment in order to make available the processing equipment for several separate exposure devices, and to eliminate some of the desirable but costly automatic equipment.

Summary of the invention In the prior integrated structure, a processing tank removably contained within the housing of the apparatus receives driving power from a series of interlocking type of connections. A plurality of driving sprockets within a tank are driven by drive receiving apparatus from the connections, but the tank is separable from the power device simply by a sliding movement. This same concept has been carried over into the present invention, and a housing has been provided for the processing equipment with a door at one end to allow the tank to be inserted and removed. Therefore, one aspect of the present invention resides in the novel manner in which a drive means in the form of a free standing unit is coordinated with the drive receiving apparatus of the tank, and the two are coordinated such that they never interfere with the removal of the tank from the apparatus by reason of stopping in a position wherein longitudinal movement is blocked. Although this concept is old in the prior known processors, this invention provides for an electrical control circuit which has a manual switch for opening and closing a power circuit to a drive motor, and a mechanical switch in a parallel circuit which opens and closes in a cyclic series by a motor driven switch actuator. Closing the manual switch will begin motor operation but opening of the manual switch will stop operation of the motor only between cyclic closing of the motor operated switch. Thus, the stopping positionof the drive motor can be limited in 3,401,618 Patented Sept. 17, 1968 order to prevent the motor stopping in certain driven positions of the driven apparatus.

Also, the invention contemplates a means for holding a light-tight spool box of the exposed web in a position which will enable the lead strip from the web to be fed into the processor, and then by simply releasing the tray which holds the light box, causing a sealing of the entrance to the processor against light.

Finally, this invention provides surfaces in a closure door at the end of the processor which act somewhat in the manner of a first-class lever wherein the processed web is a lever member acting over a fulcrum against a reaction surface and is thus held suspended against further movement. By this simple means, the web is retained by the processor, and prevented from falling to the floor.

Although this is a general summary of the invention, the following specification description of the preferred embodiment of the invention should be studied with care to note the further objects of the invention and the means by which this preferred embodiment has achieved these objects.

Description of the invention FIGURE 1 is a perspective illustration of a commercial embodiment of the invention, as encased in a decorative housing;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal section taken along lines 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the internal structure with portions broken away;

FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal section taken along line 44 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a view of a position relating device as seen along line 55 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged section as viewed along line 6--6 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 7 is a. view of the exit opening in the casing as seen from line 77 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 8 is a wiring diagram illustrating the operating function of the position relating device.

Referring to the drawings, the FIGURE 1 illustrates the overall appearance of the device as embodied in a commercial form. This embodiment employs a base 10 and enclosure housing 12.

Extending substantially centerly of the housing 12, anchored to the base 10, is a standard wall 14. Extending along wall 14 are three driven sprockets 16, 18 and 20. The first sprocket 16 has a projecting crank pin 17. Sprockets 18 and 20 are aligned with the sprocket 16 and have similar pins 19 and 21 respectively.

A sprocket 22 is mounted on a drive shaft 25, which in turn receives drive energy from a motor 26. Three idlers 27, and a chain 28, complete the drive from sprocket 22. The chain is enegaged with each of the sprockets 16, 18, and 20, and the idler sprockets 27. Thus, the pins 17, 19, and 21 are driven in exact coordinated relationship which may be definitely fixed and established. They are aligned longitudinally of the tank.

As best seen in FIGURE 3, a solution tank 30 is held in working relationship with respect to the standard wall 14 by means of two guide rails 32 formed in the base 10. The area within the guide rails 32 is recessed as shown in FIGURE 2 to form a sump 34, in order that any spillage which may leak from the relatively well-sealed tank 30 may be caught and prevented from damaging clothing or surroundings.

The tank 30 is divided into three compartments 36, having three drive sprockets 37 spaced intermediate each of the tanks. One compartment is broken away to illustrate the interior. A mounting shaft 38 is provided with an external wing pin 39. Thus, coordinated drive of sprockets 37 will result in a coordinated movement of a web through the tank without jamming or failing. The shafts 38 are aligned longitduinally of the tank.

An input sprocket 41 is carried on shaft 25 in longitudinal alignment with the three sprockets 37. In FIG- URE 2, a web of film or paper, indicated by reference character 42, may be seen to be engaged with the input sprocket 41. Web 42 is driven down into the tank 30. The web is caused to follow curved guide paths within the three compartments 36, engaging a sprocket 37 between each of the compartments, and thus being driven through each of the compartments. The third of the three aligned sprockets 37 causes the web to feed from the final compartment and exit from the tank 30.

The height of alignment of the three sprockets 16, 18 and 20 is such that the axis of the sprockets lie at substantially the same height and in alignment with the shafts 38 of the tank. Thus, the pins 17, 19 and 21 will be caused to rotate around the axis established by the tank shafts 38 to engage the wing pins 39. Such engagement will transfer drive from the power means, which includes the crank arm devices, to the process drive means. The tank is supplied with power from the power supply without making a fitted attachment of one to the other. Thus, the tank remains readily insertable and removable from the stand. Interfitting engagement from the drive motor to the plurality of sprockets in the tank is thus established.

However, it may be seen that if the motor 26 ceases operation in such position that the pins 17, 19, and 21 are positioned in the longitudinal path of the aligned shafts 38, which carry the drive receiving wing pins 39 on the tank, the tank cannot be withdrawn or inserted.

Accordingly, this invention provides for a power cessation control which is related to the position of the drive system pins in order to avoid any inadvertent locking of the tank in this manner in normal operation, and provide-s for overdrive release of the motor in order that the motor may operate although the driven burden is stalled. In this manner of operation, the motor will not overheat by reason of being stalled.

Refer to the electrical diagram of FIGURE 8. Switch 44, which may be seen in the diagram, as well as on the various structural figures, is the manual switch used to turn the machine on and off. Closing switch 44 will deliver power to the motor 26. A normally open switch 45, when closed, will bypass the manual switch 44. An actuator 46, indicated symbolically in FIGURE 8, and shown physically in FIGURE 5, is double ended, to actuate the switch 45 twice upon each revolution of the shaft 25 upon which it is mounted. The orientation of the actuator 46 is such that the switch 45 is closed whenever the pins 17, 19 and 21 reach the position shown in FIG- URE 4, or the diametrically opposite position, thus leaving the path along the aligned shafts of the sprocket wheels open. This path corresponds to the path of the shafts 38, and thus will permit unobstructed installation and removal of the tank.

This preferred embodiment provides a process fluid tank which has a plurality of separate fluid holding compartments in longitudinal alignment, and with a process drive means in the form of the three' sprockets 37 carried by the tank for passing a web into and out of each compartment in series.

The tank holder stand, which comprises basically the guide rails 32 in the base 10, and a spring 47 carried by the top of wall 14 to snub the tank tight, is formed to accept the tank in a slidable and removable fit.

Power drive means is shown in the preferred embodiment as including the' series of sprocket which rotate the pins 17, 19 and 21. They are driven ultimately by the source of power in motor 26. Substantially the entire power means is carried by the wall 14 of the tank holder stand. This apparatus, when supplied by the electrical circuit shown in FIGURE 8, includes the manually operable switch having an opened and a closed position, a secondary switch, and an actuator for the secondary switch in the form of member 46. Actuator 46 is carried on shaft 25 of motor 26.

This invention provides for powering the input sprocket 41 by a release mechanism. The sprocket 41 is journaled loosely upon the shaft 25, and held by retainer 48. One end of the sprocket 41 is provided with a cupped well 49 having cross webs. A sleeve 50 surrounds the shaft 25 and has a slotted end 51 to mate with the cross webs in the cupped well 49. A recess 52 within the bottom of the well 49 will allow the sleeve 50 to slide longitudinally along the axis of the sprocket 41 without losing engagement with the cross webs of the well 49. A spring 53 within the sleeve 50 urges the sleeve out of the recess to the extent that it is free to do so.

Restraining such movement out of the recess, is a cam and cam follower clutch system composed of follower 54 carried by the sleeve 50, and cam collar 55 carried by the shaft 25. Chain driven sprocket 22 is formed on the periphery of follower 54. A set screw 56 anchors the collar 55 at the desired location to set the tension of spring 53. As rotation of the shaft 25 takes place, the interfitting action of the follower 54 and the collar 55 will rotate to drive the input sprocket 22 to the extent of the power that can be transmitted through the interfitting cam action under the urge of spring 53. However, should jamming of the web occur as it is fed into or through the tank, sufficiently to stall the drive system, the cam follower will move out of the cam 55 and allow the shaft 25 to continue rotating. Thus, the follower 54 and collar 55 will produce an audible snapping noise to call attention to the jammed condition, and after the manual switch 44 is opened, the shaft 25 will continue until actuator 46 opens switch 45, if it is not, in fact, open when the manual switch is opened.

Because the processor is a separate unit without a dark room, it is necessary to shield a web being processed against stray exposure by external light. The exposed Web is brought to the processor in a spool box 57. A tray 58 is carried by the housing 12 on the upper end of a swing pedestal 59 which, in turn, is carried by a pivot 60. The tray 58 substantially fills an opening 61 in the top of the housing, when in the position illustrated in FIGURE 2, except for an area closed by a transparent red glass filter window 62. Window 62 enables observation of the input sprocket 41 in order that the progress of web feed may be observed without exposing the web.

The pedestal 59 has a position spaced from the position shown in FIGURE 2, allowing an open area between the tray and the window 62 in order that the box 57 may be seated on the tray and the web 42 threaded into engagement with the sprocket 41 by the operator. This portion of the web is the lead edge and, therefore, may be exposed without harm. As soon as the proper engagement with the sprocket 41 has been made, the tray 58 is re leased, and the tray with the spool box 57 thereon will fall forward and essentially fill the balance of the opening not closed by window 62. Thereafter, the sprocket 41 will draw the web from the spool box 57 and will cause the web to drive into engagement with the process drive means within tank 30.

This invention provides a novel means for holding the finished processed web as it is ejected from the processing tank. In the FIGURE 1, an opening 63 in the end door is constructed in such a manner that a web which is fed from the tank will be trapped and held in the opening. The physical structure of the opening may better be seen in the FIGURE 2. A shelf 65 provides a front edge corner 66 and a sloping wall 67 provides a sharp back edge 68. The best way to explain the function of the opening with the spaced edges 66 and 68 is to make analogy to a lever action. The edges 66 and 68 are two laterally spaced substantially parallel edges. The edge 68 is located inwardly and elevated above the second. The edge 66 is located just below the level of the tank exit and it is spaced a distance farther from the tank than the distance between a vertical line which passes through the edge 68. That is, it is spaced a distance farther from the tank than the lateral distance from the first edge to the tank.

Thus, the two edges serve as offset reaction surfaces for holding a web of process material wedged therein by gravity as shown in FIGURE 2. The web acts as a lever, with edge 66 as the fulcrum and edge 68 as the reaction load.

Whereas the present invention has been shown and described herein in what is conceived to be the best mode contemplated, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention which is, therefore, not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be afforded the full scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A processing machine for developing a photographic web, comprising:

a process fluid tank having a plurality of separate fluid holding compartments in longitudinal alignment;

process drive means carried by said tank for passing a web into and out of each compartment in series; a tank holder stand with inter-fitting surfaces formed to accept said tank in a slidable and removable fit;

power drivemeans carried by said tank holder stand, said power drive means and process drive means being mechanically eng-ageable to transfer power drive by sliding the tank longitudinally into said stand, said power means and process drive means having at least one possible interference position which prevents insertion and removal of the tank, and said two means being engaged only when said tank is seated in said tank holder; feed roller means carried by said stand in a position of feed alignment with the tank engaged position for driving a web into said tank, and a drive interconnection from said power means to said feed roller, whereby said feed roller and said process drive means are coordinated by drive interconnection to one power means; an electrical power supply to said power drive means, said power supply including a manually operable switch having an open and a closed position, a secondary switch, and an actuator for said secondary switch carried by said power means and operable at all times of power means operation, to open said secondary switch during predetermined cyclic periods; said power supply including one circuit which is either closed or open according to the condition of said manually operable switch, said power supply including another circuit which is normally closed and is opened in cyclic periods in relationship to the drivers position of said actuator, said power supply operable to power said motor upon closing of said manually operable switch, and operable to remove said power supply only by opening of both said manually operable switch and secondary switch; and

said actuator coordinated with said process power means to cause said process power means to stop in a predetermined aligned position of drive other than said possible interference position, whereby the process drive is positioned to permit tank insertion and removal without interference.

2. A processing machine as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that:

said process drive means is embodied in a plurality of feed roller devices, one located between each of said separate fluid holding compartments and one at the terminal of the last of said compartments, each with a drive shaft extending to the exterior of the tank, and a wing drive receiving means on the end of each shaft;

said power means including a motor with a rotatable drive shaft operating a series of crank arm devices located to rotate a crank throw for each roller device and to register with the outside wing drive receiver of each roller device when the tank is fitted into said holder stand; and

said actuator carried on said motor drive shaft and formed to open said secondary switch at periodic intervals.

3. A processing machine as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that:

said drive interconnection from power means to the feed roller being a releasable interconnection operable at predetermined drive loads to release the feed roller and allow the power means to continue operation, said drive interconnection operating with an audible rap under such releasing conditions.

4. A processing machine as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that:

a housing is provided surrounding said processing machine, said housing having a slot aligned with the exit opening from said tank for permitting processed web from the tank to be expelled from the machine;

said slot having two laterally spaced substantially parallel edges, the first of which is located inwardly and elevated above the second, the second being located below the level of the tank exit and spaced a distance further from the tank than the lateral distance from the first edge to the tank; whereby said two edges serve as offset reaction surfaces for holding a web of processed material wedged therein by gravity.

5. A processing machine for developing a photographic web, comprising:

a process fluid tank;

a tank holder stand with interfitting surfaces formed to accept said tank in a slidable and removable fit;

a light protective casing is provided for said processing machine;

feed roller means in said casing;

said casing having a top opening over said feed roller means;

a support tray means for holding a light box spool of material to be processed, said tray having a first position closing a major portion of said top opening, a front edge of said tray in said first position being substantially aligned with the said feed roller means and spaced above the feed roller means for holding the paper cartridge with a web of paper extending therefrom down across the front of said tray and into engagement with said feed roller means;

said tray having a second position rearwardly of said first position to provide a finger access space for threading the web from the cartridge into said feed roller means at the beginning of processing operation;

means for mounting said tray to swing between said first and second position; and

a red-light transparent window closing a portion of said opening forwardly of a said first position to enable visual observation of web feed into said roll means during the processing feed; said window, tray and cartridge carried by said tray, substantially fully closing said opening against the entry of light into said housing.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS NORTON ANSI-1BR, Primary Examiner.

FRED L. BRAUN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A PROCESSING MACHINE FOR DEVELOPING A PHOTOGRAPHIC WEB, COMPRISING: A PROCESS FLUID TANK HAVING A PLURALITY OF SEPARATE FLUID HOLDING COMPARTMENTS IN LONGITUDINAL ALIGNMENT; PROCESS DRIVE MEANS CARRIED BY SAID TANK FOR PASSING A WEB INTO AND OUT OF EACH COMPARTMENT IN SERIES; A TANK HOLDER STAND WITH INTERFITTING SURFACES FORMED TO ACCEPT SAID TANK IN A SLIDABLE AND REMOVABLE FIT; POWER DRIVE MEANS CARRIED BY SAID TANK HOLDER STAND, SAID POWER DRIVE MEANS AND PROCESS DRIVE MEANS BEING MECHANICALLY ENGAGEABLE TO TRANSFER POWER DRIVE BY SLIDING THE TANK LONGITUDINALLY INTO SAID STAND, SAID POWER MEANS AND PROCESS DRIVE MEANS HAVING AT LEAST ONE POSSIBLE INTERFERENCE POSITION WHICH PREVENTS INSERTION AND REMOVAL OF THE TANK, AND SAID TWO MEANS BEING ENGAGED ONLY WHEN SAID TANK IS SEATED IN SAID TANK HOLDER; FEED ROLLER MEANS CARRIED BY SAID STAND IN A POSITION OF FEED ALIGNMENT WITH THE TANK ENGAGED POSITION FOR DRIVING A WEB INTO SAID TANK, AND A DRIVE INTERCONNECTION FROM SAID POWER MEANS TO SAID FEED ROLLER, WHEREBY SAID FEED ROLLER AND SAID PROCESS DRIVE MEANS ARE COORDINATED BY DRIVE INTERCONNECTION TO ONE POWER MEANS; AN ELECTRICAL POWER SUPPLY TO SAID POWER DIRVE MEANS, SAID POWER SUPPLY INCLUDING A MANUALLY OPERABLE SWITCH HAVING AN OPEN AND A CLOSED POSITION, A SECONDARY SWITCH, AND AN ACTUATOR FOR SAID SECONDARY SWITCH CARRIED BY SAID POWER MEANS AND OPERABLE AT ALL TIMES OT POWER MEANS OPERATIN, TO OPEN SAID SECONDARY SWITCH DURING PREDETERMINED CYCLIC PERIODS; SAID POWER SUPPLY INCLUDING ONE CIRCUIT WHICH IS EITHER CLOSED OR OPEN ACCORDING TO THE CONDITION OF SAID MANUALLY OPERABLE SWITCH, SAID POWER SUPPLY INCLUDING ANOTHER CIRCUIT WHICH IS NORMALLY CLOSED AND IS OPENED IN CYCLIC PERIODS IN RELATIONSHIP TO THE DRIVER''S POSITION OF SAID ACTUATOR, SAID POWER SUPPLY OPERABLE TO POWER SAID MOTOR UPON CLOSING OF SAID MANUALLY OPERABLE SWITCH, AND OPERABLE TO REMOVE SAID POWER SUPPLY ONLY BY OPENING OF BOTH SAID MANUALLY OPERABLE SWITCH AND SECONDARY SWITCH; AND SAID ACTUATOR COORDINATED WITH SAID PROCESS POWER MEANS TO CAUSE SAID PROCESS POWER MEANS TO STOP IN A PREDETERMINED ALIGNED POSITION OF DRIVE OTHER THAN SAID POSSIBLE INTERFERENCE POSITION, WHEREBY THE PROCESS DRIVE IS POSITIONED TO PERMIT TANK INSERTION AND REMOVAL WITHOUT INTERFERENCE. 